Chapter 228: Ex–Husband: How About a Doctor–Patient Relationship?
Marcus avoided eye contact, his gaze flickering uncertainly.
In the end, he didn’t even dare to look at Gemma.
Yeah
Back when he first found out who Humphrey really was, his first thought had been to knock the guy out, tie him up, and deliver him to Gemma.
But would that really impress her?
So he figured, what if he brought Humphrey straight to her and took him down right in front of her? That had to be way more dramatic
Gemma scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Wilson? No heartfelt confession this time? Changed your mind already?”
Then she turned to Humphrey.
“If you turn yourself in now, maybe–just maybe–they’ll consider your cooperation when sentencing you. But if you keep being stubborn, you’re a dead man walking.”
She was obviously provoking him.
Everyone here knew the scale of the crimes–this wasn’t some petty offense. It was catastrophic,
No one in this village was getting out of it,
“Bullshit!” Humphrey snapped. “If you don’t let them go right now, I’ll kill your man!”
Gemma remained perfectly calm.
“We’re divorced,” she said, voice casual. “But we do have a kid together. I don’t have custody right now, but if you kill him, my child inherits a fortune. And I get custody.”
“You kill him, I walk away a billionaire,”
“Honestly, Humphrey, I’d say thank you.”
Marcus turned even paler.
“…Gemma.”
His voice sounded fragile, almost pleading.
She didn’t even spare him a glance,
Meanwhile, Robin had already coordinated with the team stationed nearby.
If Humphrey got any more unstable, if he so much as twitched toward real violence, the snipers would take him out.
Gemma tilted her head, taunting.
“What’s wrong, Humphrey? Why aren’t you making a move? Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
“Are you a coward? Losers
She even shot a glance at the village chief.
“And you? Weren’t you barking just now? What’s the plan–just sit here and wait to die?”
The chief’s face turned beet red.
“Humphrey!” he barked, stomping his foot.
The blade in Humphrey’s hand pressed against Marcus’s throat. A thin line of blood welled up and trickled down his neck.
Marcus swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He looked at Gemma again.
“If my death would make you happy….”
This time, there was no calculation in his voice,
He was really saying goodbye.
“Athen I’d die without regrets. Just–please. For our child’s sake, Don’t go after my mother.”
He closed his eyes.
If this was it, let it be over quickly.
His only regret?
The divorce.
If he had a second chance, he wouldn’t have gotten tangled up with Mabel. He would’ve waited–for Gemma to come back to him.
Humphrey, now fully enraged, raised the knife, aiming for Marcus’s back.
Setting
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Chapter 228: Ex Husband: How About a Doctor Patient Relationship?
It wouldn’t be a fatal wound.
But it would be enough to rattle Gemma’s people.
Lucas had told him before–this country valued human life. They wouldn’t just kill a criminal on the spot.
So he figured-
BANG!
A sharp pain exploded in his skull.
Then, the gunshot.
Humphrey froze, his body suddenly weightless.
And then he collapsed.
“Don’t move!”
“Hands up!”
“Get down! Now!”
There were shouting voices, rushing footsteps, chaos all around. But Humphrey didn’t hear any of it. His world had already gone black.
Marcus stood there, motionless.
Humphrey had been taken out instantly.
Warm blood splattered across Marcus’s body, soaking through his clothes.
He had seen a lot of death. But never like this.
For a moment, his mind went blank.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
It took him a long time to come back to himself, to think again.
Slowly, his eyes found Gemma.
At first, everything was blurry–just red, everywhere.
Then his vision cleared.
And she still wasn’t looking at him.
Instead, she was checking on the officers who had been stung by scorpions.
…Did she really not care?
Not even a little?
Was there really nothing left between them? How could she be so heartless?
He had done so much. Why couldn’t she soften, even just a little?
She hadn’t even hesitated when his life was on the line.
Nearby, the officers were murmuring among themselves.
“That woman must’ve hated the guy’s guts.”
“Yeah, no doubt. She was baiting him on purpose. She knew we had a sniper in place.”
“Exactly. When criminals get provoked, there’s always that brief moment of reckless aggression. A few seconds is all our sniper needed.”
“Smart move. Saved the hostages and got rid of him in one go.”
“Or maybe she figured he’d just get injured, not killed. She probably didn’t expect the sniper to go for the kill shot.”
“Enough talking. This is the captain’s call. He must’ve briefed her in advance.”
“Yeah. No way an outsider would know our tactics that well.”
“Alright, let’s move. Help carry the wounded–the ambulances are here.”
Sirens wailed in the distance. Marcus, still dazed, was pulled aside.
The officers‘ words echoed in his head.
…Had he misjudged her again?
God, he was an idiot.
Even if she really hated him, she was still a doctor. She would never just stand by and let him die.
This had to have been the captain’s strategy. And she had just gone along with it.
She must’ve been terrified, too.
But she still did her job, treating the injured like always.
He should’ve never doubted her.
Setting
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Chapter 228 Ex Husband: How About a Doctor Patient Relationship?
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and walked toward her.
Gemma had just finished treating a few officers. As she stood up, she swayed slightly, looking lightheaded.
Marcus reached out, steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.
She flinched, immediately stepping away.
“What now, Mr. Wilson?”
His eyes turned red rimmed. When he looked at her, his gaze was full of something deep, something impossible to put into words.
“Gemma. Thank you. For saving me.”
She shook her head. “I meant every word I said.”
He knew she was just being contrary. Before, that would’ve pissed him off. But after everything that had happened, how could he even bring himself to be mad?
“Gemma,” he said, voice low and coaxing. “I’m hurt too.”
It wasn’t the most dignified approach, but if playing the emotional card wouldn’t work…
Maybe playing the patient would.
She was a doctor, after all. She took her job seriously. If nothing else, she’d treat a patient properly.
His voice turned softer, almost pitiful.
“Look,” he murmured. “I’m still bleeding. Can you help me bandage it?”
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